Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, has designated Gabriel Attal as the nation’s new prime minister, marking him as the youngest and first openly gay individual to occupy this role.
At 34 years old, Attal, previously the education minister, was appointed to this position on Tuesday, holding significant popularity according to recent opinion polls in the country.
“I trust in your dedication and vigor,” Macron expressed in a message directed to Attal on the social media platform X.
Attal steps into the role following the resignation of the former Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, as part of Macron’s cabinet reshuffle, aiming to inject fresh momentum into the final three years of his presidency.
In the French political framework, the prime minister is appointed by the president and remains answerable to the parliament. Attal will oversee the implementation of domestic policies, particularly economic measures, and coordinate the government’s ministerial team.
Facing a year of challenges, including unpopular reforms in pensions and immigration in 2023, Macron’s selection of Attal is seen as a strategic move to bolster his popularity ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections in June.
“Attal’s nomination is intriguing and garners interest across the political spectrum,” remarked Al Jazeera’s Natacha Butler reporting from Paris. She noted that the appointment of this young prime minister came as somewhat unexpected.
Described as a “rising star” in French politics, Gabriel Attal is viewed by Macron as a potential means to reinvigorate his government. “Attal embodies the Macron of 2017,” remarked Member of Parliament Patrick Vignal, alluding to Macron’s own ascension as the youngest modern French head of state.
While praised for his communication skills and ambition, Attal’s effectiveness as a prime minister remains to be seen. The challenge ahead lies in Macron’s lack of a parliamentary majority, posing difficulties in passing legislation through a divided parliament.
Since losing his absolute majority shortly after reelection in 2022, Macron has encountered a more tumultuous political landscape, trailing behind far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s party in opinion polls by approximately eight to 10 percentage points.
